title: Liver resection for metastatic melanoma: equivalent survival for cutaneous and ocular primaries.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The value of surgical resection in patients with hepatic metastases from melanoma is poorly documented in the literature. This study sought to determine the clinicopathologic and surgical factors predictive of outcome for melanoma patients who underwent resection of hepatic metastases.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-three patients who underwent liver resection for melanoma metastases were identified from the Melanoma Institute Australia research database. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identity factors predictive of recurrence and survival following liver resection for melanoma metastasis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The actuarial 2- and 5-year survival rates were 59% and 42%, respectively, with a median survival of 29 months (range 1-139). The 5-year survival rates for cutaneous and ocular primary melanoma were 44% and 39%, respectively. Improved post-hepatic metastasectomy survival was observed in patients with microscopically clear resection margins (R0, 44 months; R1/2, 12 months; P = 0.04). Although major hepatic resection was associated with improved survival (major, 70 months; minor, 23 months; P = 0.07), major hepatectomies were performed almost exclusively in patients with isolated liver metastases.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Hepatic resection for metastatic melanoma is associated with improved survival in selected patients with both primary ocular and cutaneous melanoma. Surgical treatment of hepatic melanoma metastases should be considered when complete resection is feasible.
authors.affiliation: Department of Hepatobiliary and Upper Gastrointestinal Surgery, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: Seung Wook
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Ryu
authors.forename: Robyn
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Saw
authors.forename: Richard A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Scolyer
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Crawford
authors.forename: John F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Thompson
authors.forename: Charbel
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sandroussi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005134:Eye Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006498:Hepatectomy; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000556:secondary* / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000401:mortality / Q000556:secondary* / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000453:epidemiology; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D016019:Survival Analysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: liver; melanoma; metastasis; resection; survival